MOF composites/metal carbide electrode materials for energy storage and conversion

Abstract

This thesis explores the design of electrode materials and electrolytes for sustainable green energy technologies, focusing on supercapacitors, batteries, and the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable chemical synthons. Emphasizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of Affordable and Clean Energy and Climate Action, the study aims to achieve optimal performance by designing materials with efficient electronic/ionic conductivity, high surface area, and cost-effectiveness. To enhance the performance of energy storage devices, this thesis focuses on rationally designing and tuning cathode, anode, and electrolytes. For electrode material fabrication, the copper-containing metal-organic frameworks (Cu-MOF) and Nickel Hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) Prussian blue analogs (PBA) have been composited with carbon materials, such as rGO and CNT, to improve conductivity and enable efficient ion transport for maximizing supercapacitive performance. While porous three-dimensional networks of MOF and PBA offer large surface area and suitable channels for ion adsorption and transport for the surface-controlled capacitance, the redox active metal centers, Cu2+ and Ni2+, boost the energy density of the supercapacitors by diffusion-controlled processes.